Celtic Jewelry
From LoveToKnow Jewelry
Celtic jewelry is rich in tradition and design. Let's take a closer look at what makes these pieces so special.
Celtic Jewelry
Celtic jewelry is seldom ever just a piece of pretty metal and gemstones. Ireland is absolutely overflowing with legends and traditions, many of which have been preserved as symbols incorporated into jewelry and passed down from one generation to the next.
Traditional Themes
Ireland may be known as the Emerald Isle, but most Irish jewelry does not depend on gems, including emeralds, for its appeal. Instead, most pieces are intricately carved works of silver or gold that seldom suffer for their lack of jewels. Let's look at some of the traditional themes used to create these Celtic treasures.
Knots
Knots abound in Celtic lore, in particular the never-ending knot that signifies the continuity of life. Careful examination of the knot design never reveals a beginning or and ending point. The knot simply loops around itself continuously.
These knots are also used to symbolize the Christian Trinity. A single knot consists of three loops.
Celtic knots are used in all types of Irish jewelry, and are also very popular as tattoos.
Shamrocks
Shamrocks have long been used as a symbol for the Christian Trinity, and legend has it that it was St. Patrick himself who plucked one from the ground and used it to teach the Irish about the triune nature of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Today, shamrocks still carry religious significance for some, but many people look upon these little green plants as symbols of good luck.
Crosses
The Celtic cross is considered a variation of the Christian cross, but it actually predates it. The Celtic version of the traditional cross includes a circle that unites all of the arms.
Warrior Shields
Shields are symbols of Ireland's often violent history and struggle for autonomy. These designs are typically used in men's rings.
Shields are usually quite simple in design, consisting mainly of a metal disc with just a bit of carving around it, although some styles incorporate mythical creatures like dragons.
The Gimmel
The Gimmel is another piece of Celtic jewelry that has been used to mark betrothals and engagements.
A Gimmel is a series of three joined rings. Upon betrothal, this ring was broken into three pieces. One piece was retained by the bride-to-be, one by her future groom, and the last by the person who would stand as witness to the betrothal. When the wedding finally took place, all three sections of the ring were rejoined and became the bride's wedding band.
The Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh is by far the most popular and enduring tradition in Celtic jewelry. The design is simple, yet very symbolic. Two hands cup a heart that supports a crown.
- The hands stand for friendship.
- The heart stands for love.
- The crown signifies loyalty.
The story behind the Claddagh is a romantic one. An Irishman named Richard Joyce was abducted while fishing near the village of Claddagh in the very same week he was to be married to his sweetheart.
Richard was sold into slavery to a wealthy goldsmith who taught him his trade. Eventually he managed to escape and return to his sweetheart who was still waiting for him. Richard designed what are now the famous Claddagh rings and the two were married.
Since that time, Claddaghs have been worn as friendship rings, and as engagement and wedding bands.
There are several ways to wear Claddagh rings to advertise your availability.
- Wear the ring on your right hand with the heart pointing away from you to signal you are free.
- Wear the ring on your right hand with the heart pointing toward you to say you're already committed to someone.
- Wear the ring on your left hand with the heart pointing inward to show you've found your one true love. The ring is usually worn this way as a wedding band.
The Claddagh has become so popular that it's also been incorporated into bracelets and necklaces.
Family Crests
Family crests are a great source of Celtic pride, and have been incorporated into the designs of rings and broaches.
In ancient times, crest were used to tell friend from foe on the battlefield, since uniforms were not used to identify one tribe from the next. Today, crests are a popular way to display your genealogy.
Children of Lir
Many pieces of Celtic jewelry are designed with a swan motif. This is symbolic of the Legend of the Children of Lir. The story goes that Lir's children were changed into swans by their step-mother who was a witch.
The step-mother told the changelings that they would spend nine hundred years as swans: three hundred on Lough Derravaragh, the next three hundred on the Straits of Moyle, and the final three hundred on the Isle of Inish Glora. The only way the children could end the spell was by hearing the bell of the new God, meaning the beginning of Christianity in Ireland.
The story has passed into legend, but swan jewelry is still a strong tradition in Ireland.
Conclusion
You don't have to be Irish to wear Celtic jewelry. If you find a piece that speaks to your sense of style, go ahead and wear it. The important thing is that you feel good about it.
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